NRT's CHH contributor Joshua Galla collects what's new in Christian Hip-Hop and Urban Soul for the week of Friday, March 15, 2024. (Photo: Porsha Love)
Each week, dozens of singles and a handful of projects are released in the Christian Hip-Hop (CHH) and Urban Soul spaces. Below, we listen to a few highlights and list the rest for your own discovery. As always, follow our New Christian Rap & Hip Hop playlist on Spotify and Apple Music to listen to all the latest.
Porsha Love x Wande x Queen Lee x TK Lee - "Hi-C" A week before the Spring season (March 20) officially begins, Porsha Love and the HLY GRL movement provides a certified anthem. Being a dad of two pre-teen daughters, my heart always glows knowing our younger generations have positive female role models to abide by as opposed as what the world has to offer. Porsha handled the hook throughout as well as lyrical exchanges with Wande to finish the track out. Everytime these two collaborate, makes me wonder if they're the modern-day Salt-N-Pepa? TK Lee has been involved with CHH since 2018, however, Queen Lee just entered the space last year. Combined, the track offers encouragement and showcases women can rap and bring a positive message unlike far too many within hip-hop ranging from Meg Thee Stallion, Cardi B, and a few dozen others. The beat is just straight-up catchy and makes you smile aside from the content. Stream "Hi-C" on Spotify and Apple Music.
Dead or Alive, Pt. 2 EP by Tedashii Reach Records' Tedashii released the second part to his Dead or Alive EP series including seven new tracks. The first part was released on Septembr 15 of last year and included hits such as "Texas Pete," "Save Us," and "Victory Lap." The singles released for this new EP were "IYKYK" and "Pray For Me" featuring Dkg Kie.
Each new release from Tedashii seems to include a different layer of transparency. His journey from his stage accident over two years ago was a test of faith. The loss of his precious, young son Chase still (and will always) resonates deeply for him and his family. Tedashii's faith walk seems to be tested regularly presenting choices of either dead or alive in faith and in body. Thankfully, he's always chosen the higher road. Favorites of the new EP include "Stars Align" featuring Joey Vantes, Alano Adan, Childlike CiCi and Eli Montanna, "Demise," and "Real Ones Freestyle." I love the ecclectic sound the EP presents since contributions were given from over 10 different producers. Listeners are in for a treat sonically and content wise as Tedashii shares all sides of his heart and soul. Stream Dead or Alive, Pt. 2 on Spotify here.
Caleb Gordon - "WAR"
Floridian rapper Caleb Gordon releases his fifth single of 2024. Closing in on nearly 900,000 monthly Spotify listeners, Gordon's talent, craft, and influence weighs heavily on th culture and CHH space. He's always been ministry-minded as opposed to stacking streams and accolades. His latest offering, "WAR", is one of his finest to date. I absolutely love the live instrumentation used by means of horns, drums, and other influences. The track infuses a reggae-like undertone with boom bap delivery. The content bleds of his deepened faith, trust, and walk with Christ. If all CHH tracked like this single, nobody would ever refer to the subgenre as "corny" or dated. Stream "WAR" on Spotify and Apple Music.
Alcott x Jesse Calentine feat. Jon Connor – “Fraudulent”
Alano Adan – “W.M.L.”
Shiwan – “THE ARRIVAL 3”
DJ LostNFound feat. Cutright x Ron Smith x Handlez McGee – “Everybody Welcome”
GODINA x ATTAM x C4 CROTONA x Davina – “SIGNS OF THE TIMES”
Tre’Gadd – “BRUCE”
L. Dejuan - "Rescue Me"
SiahThyLegend feat. Arik Nelson – “Highly Favored”
Jekasole x Made – “5AM in Miami”
CRU ALXNDR - "Lean On You"
JXYD3N feat. Brynn Elliott – “Terrified”
Cooper Hill – “RICH KIDS”
De La Cruz x Bloody Candy – “One In A Million”
KELO x Austin White 711 – “Year of Jubilee”
Hilgy - "Young Man"
Seth Benjamin – “Breakfast in Bed”
GamFam feat. QEW - "Still in Denial"
GodFrame – “Potion”
Angeloh - "365"
Matt Mogg x Chris is James – “sour patch”
Isaac Mather – “How It Feels”
Kojo Dave x Marizu - "Eagles"
NobodyGHY – “No Saving”
A.B - "A Trip to Bozeman"
Megan Tossi feat. Xay Hill – “Locked In”
Jack Frazier – “I’M FINE, I SWEAR (redeemed)”
Yung Drew x Rachel Thompson - "I'm Sorry"
LLC Flame – “lugar nenhum”
Theresa Phondo - "Testimony"
Titus Haskins – “Old”
Elijah Kyle – “LAYERS”
Classmaticc feat. GOODWRITT3NS – “Different Plan”
Billy Jr x FOEVA x Jonah Daniel x Lee Majors - "Run To You"
TUVI x JXRGE – “SPECIAL”
simplyollie. – “On Purpose”
Drup feat. BigGucciDame – “Priority”
02solus – “wallflower”
KD7 - "Smoke"
P.I.D. – “Favor”
Joshua Lazer x Kalisito - "Heaven"
Joshua Galla is an audiophile hyped about all forms of art in music, but his passion rests behind CHH and soulful vibes. He's a devout husband, father, and child of God. Concerts are his happy place.
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